20 Haziran 2012 Çarşamba

This week's hot concerts

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The Carpenter Ants8 p.m. Friday, June 8, Rodi, 245 W. Garrison Blvd. Free. www.rodiworld.com This WV institution (at 25 years together) fuses rootsy country, soul, gospel, funk, and rock. It brings that sound to its latest Don Dixon-produced album “Uncles and Ants.” NPR listeners may be familiar with guitarist Michael Lipton from his role as house guitarist on “Mountain Stage.”
Dan Sartain8 p.m. Friday, June 8, Milestone, 3400 Tuckaseegee Rd. $10-$12. www.etix.comCalling his new album “Too Tough to Live” “a tribute to when punk was real,” the indie singer/troubadour speeds through 13 tracks of delightfully subversive garage punk in 20 minutes (with the help of the Go-Go’s Jane Wiedlin). With Temperance League and Baby Shaker.
Bad Veins9 p.m. Friday, June 8, Snug Harbor, 1228 Gordon St. $8. www.etix.comOn its sophomore album, “This Mess We Made,” the Ohio duo creates quirky, groovy indie-rock that’s downright sunny with its big (prerecorded) orchestral arrangements and bleeping synthesizers mingling on the dancefloor.
Gov’t Mule/Dr. John7 p.m. Saturday, June 9, Time Warner Cable Uptown Amphitheatre, 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd. $32-$45.35. www.livenation.comThe Asheville born (and sometimes Allman Brothers’) guitarist and his veteran blues rock trio headline, but it’s a opening set by the New Orleans legend - riding high on his recent Dan Auerbach-produced rock crossover album “Locked Down,” that’s the rare treat.
Of Montreal/Chappo7:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 12, Neighborhood Theatre, 511 E. 36thSt. $15/$30 VIP. 704-358-9298.The former is an Athens art-rock outfit who continues to push musical boundaries on its latest mix of hooks and pop experimentation, while the latter is a funky Brooklyn buzz band thanks to an iPod Touch commercial that took its song “Come Home” to millions.
Against Me!7 p.m. Thursday, June 14, Amos’ Southend, 1423 S. Tryon St. $13-$16. www.etix.comFrontman Tom Gabel became rock’s first openly transgender artist in May. With songs like “Transgender Dysphoria Blues” on its set list and Gabel now living as Laura Jane Grace at the helm, the veteran Florida punk band - never one to shy away from addressing social concerns in its lyrics - begins a new chapter.
Cast Iron Filter7 p.m. Thursday, June 14, Visulite, 1615 Elizabeth Ave. $15. 704-358-9200This Davidson iron-grass outfit was not only a favorite locally during its late `90s/early `00s run but toured nationally making a name for itself in jam and roots music circles. After a  lengthy hiatus it returns for a string of summer reunion shows.
Wretched 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 14, Tremont, 400 W. Tremont Ave. $8-$10. www.etix.com After a national Spring tour, the Charlotte metalcore outfit returns home long enough to finally celebrate the release of its progressive new album “Son of Perdition” (which was released in March) before heading to the East and Midwest with King Conquer and on to Canada with 3 Inches of Blood. 

British transplant releases album with Charlotte-based band, books string of upcoming shows

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Charlotte has been pretty short on British-influenced popmusic - Brit-pop if you will - especially since the demise of shoegazerinfluenced bands like Bellglide, First Night on Earth, and Laburnum, who all referencedthe `80s and `90s in some way. Coincidentally a couple members of those bands -guitarist Taylor Short and bassist Wes Grasty - have found an actual Brit toback as part of the Rels (with drummer Donnie Merritt - pictured right with Grasty, Crozer, and Short from left to right). Band leader Mark Crozerisn’t simply a Charlotte transplant. He’s a former guitarist for veteranScottish alternative rock band the Jesus & Mary Chain. He fell in love withan American during JAMC’s 2007 reunion tour, married had a child, and relocated to Charlotte.
Crozer brings a winking “Doctor Who” reference to the band’sname and a batch of mostly sunny songs that flit between a more accessibleversion of his old band mates (imagine JAMC without the cloud of distortion)and Beatles-esque pop. By the way aRel is the Dalek unit of measurement for time on the long running Britishsci-fi series. A Dalek is probably Who’s most widely recognized enemy - in caseyou were wondering. (I’ll stop there. Is my geek showing?)
In April, Crozer released his self-titled album. The album actually doesn't feature the Charlotte-based players who make up his live band, who he met after finishing the album.

It begins with “War Drum” - a sort of a declaration.There’s even a touch of Southern garage rock in the guitar line. “I Need aVaccination” is a zippy punk-tinged number. Another favorite, “Killed By Karma,”begins with a Cure-like intro (the bassline reminds me of “Inbetween Days”).You can hear that familiar Jesus & Mary Chain guitar tone ringing outespecially during the solo. That sound informs “Sunshine” as well. But these songs are much poppier (even prettier) unless your reference point to JAMC beginsand ends with its 1994 hit collaboration with Mazzy Star’s Hope Sandoval “SometimesAlways.”

There’s a lot more than Crozer’s former employers in hissound. There is pretty Moody Blues/Byrds-like singing.Things get downright chipper on “Sunshine” and the bopping “Brand New World.”  “You are a Light” is a sunny acoustic lovesong. “Just Another Day” bounces merrily. With the vocal melodies and highharmonies songs like those reference the Rels’ Beatles side. In fact songs “Light” and “Day” sound a lot like what Charlotte’s own Beatles-influenced popveterans the Spongetones have been releasing in recent years (a more moderntake on its Beatles’ influence).
More-often-than-not the Rels tread in more recent retro territorytoo. I particularly like “Put Those `80s Records On.” The title alone is anattention-getter. “Let’s Go to the Moon” reminds me of ahappier Echo & the Bunnymen because of the guitar parts thatbookend the verses.  The bridge capturesthe same kind of angst as the Psychedelic Furs at its best. It’s prettymagical.
 “Waiting for June” maybe the most unusual track on the album. It builds on pensive strings, piano,and near whispered vocals. It reminds me of a trippy, psychedelic soundtrack thatwould suit “Belle du Jour” if it were remade for today or maybe serve a shot of Austin Powers discovering his latest bell bottom bombshell strutting into theroom and shaking her hair in slow motion. 
The melody of “Deep Carolina” bopsalong innocently then swells into a dark, psychedelic guitar solo. “What a FoolI’ve Been” begins with jangly strumming and melancholy apologetic vocals. Thingsget darker as the albums nears its close. A James Bond-like guitar and tension-filledpiano give way to a slightly brighter (thanks to Crozer’s vocals) chorus on “AGood Heart.” The final track, "Bristol Hum," closes the record on a dark, dance-y note with abeat that would be at home in one of Blondie’s disco tracks although it’s themost modern song on the album. “Bristol Hum” contains yet another interestingbridge too. I’ve always been a sucker for a killer bridge and the Rels do them well.
The Rels have a string of shows lined up inJune. The group plays the Thirsty Beaver in Plaza-Midwood Saturday,June 9 with Overmountain Men at 9 p.m. Free. It is also part of the Charlotte Shakespeare Festival at The Green Uptown on Saturday, June 15. Its set starts at 7:15 p.m. Free.
It plays the Mount Holly Farmer’s Market (130 S. Main St.) Saturday,June 16, at the un-rock n’ roll hour of 9:30 a.m. before heading to the annualBeatles Tribute at Knight Theater at 7 p.m. where it will perform “If I NeededSomeone.” That last one is not a free show, but it’s an incredibly popularlocal tribute to the Fab Four - more on that next week. Over 20 acts. Ticketsare $20. 704-372-1000.
The Rels have also been added to the June 22 bill at SnugHarbor with Temperance League, Wylie Hunter & the Cazadores and Darth Hipster& the Star Destroyer. Admission is $5. 
Find Crozer online here or here.  Larry Toppman also interview Crozer in December. You can read that story here. 

This week's hot concerts

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G. Love & Special Sauce8 p.m. Friday, June 15, Amos’, 1423 S. Tryon St. $25. www.etix.comWhether charming frat boys, jam fans, festival audiences or hip-hop heads with his unique hybrid of blues, roots, and hip-hop, Love and his band rarely disappoints live. Of note - his latest release “Fixin’ To Die” was produced by Concord’s Avett Brothers. Drivin’ n’ Cryin’8 p.m. Friday, June 15, Tremont, 400 W. Tremont Ave, $12. www.etix.comFollowing its first release since 2009 (the new EP “Songs from the Laundromat” which covers everything from blue collar anthems to country to jangly guitar and heaver rock) the Southern road dog behind early `90s hits “Fly Me Courageous” and “Build a Fire” return. During a regional trek.Dirty Dozen Brass Band9 p.m. Friday, June 15, Visulite, 1615 Elizabeth Ave. $18. 704-358-9200.Thirty-five years into its career the New Orleans brass legends keep upping its profile in the mainstream with appearances on HBO’s “Treme,” tours with Widespread Panic and Black Crowes, and recording with Norah Jones and Elvis Costello. It continues to push stylistic boundaries on its own new record “Twenty Dozen.”Beatles Tribute7 p.m. Saturday, June 16, Knight Theater, 430 S. Tryon St. $12-$20. 704-372-1000.John Tosco’s annual concert honors the Fab Four with renditions from artists like Jonathan Scales Fourchestra, Mark Crozer & the Rels, Reeve Coobs, the Joe Davis Band, Shana Blake, Steve Stoekel, Donna Duncan and others.Vince Gill/Sarah Jarosz7 p.m. Sunday, June 17, Knight Theater, 430 S. Tryon St. $49.50-$69.50. 704-372-1000.The Grammy winning country musician returns to sounds he cut his teeth on in bands like Bluegrass Alliance and Boone Creek (with Ricky Skaggs) with a special evening of bluegrass that includes up and coming roots music instrumentalist and singer Sarah Jarosz.  The Bodeans
7 p.m. Sunday, June 17, McGlohon Theatre, 345 N. College St. $24.50-$32.50. 704-372-1000.Following the departure of co-founder Sam Llanas, frontman Kurt Neumann (who sounds like a rootsy Anthony Keidis) recharged his near-30-year-old band (best known for 1996’s “Closer to Free”) by tackling heady, personal subjects on the new disc, “American Made,” which was released Tuesday.LMFAO7 p.m. Tuesday, June 19, Bojangles’ Coliseum 2700 E. Independence Blvd. $34.40. www.ticketmaster.comThe next generation of Motown’s Gordys aren’t kidding about bringing the party rock. Along with its own goofy and colorful show, LMFAO stacks the deck with tour mates Natalia Kills, Eva Simons, Sidney Samson, Far East Movement, and the Quest Crew.Iron Maiden/Alice Cooper7 p.m. Thursday, June 21, Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, 707 Pavilion Blvd. $25-$85. www.livenation.comThe British metal legends kick off its “Maiden England” World Tour with a rare Charlotte show. The production and set are expected to mirror 1988’s “Seventh Son of the Seventh Son” tour, which was recorded for the “Maiden England” concert video. Fellow hard rock royalty Alice Cooper opens the show with his signature theatrical set. Chris Cook9 p.m. Thursday, June 21, Double Door, 1218 Charlottetown Ave. $7. 704-376-1446.The Belmont raised singer-songwriter, who spends much of his time regularly gigging in Key West and touring in Europe annually, is a writer’s writer with literate songs and soulful singing that drift between blues and roots music and flirts with bluegrass and jazz on his latest record, “Remembering.”

Apple, Isaak, Buckingham announced

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Friday Blumenthal Performing Arts announced that crooner Chris Isaak will perform an intimate concert at McGlohon Theatre September 10. Isaak, whose latest album is a collection of classic covers, has played Asheville and Greenville, South Carolina in recent years but not Charlotte. I've seen him work a gymnasium in Anderson, South Carolina like it was the Hollywood Bowl and play the much posher Peace Center more recently and am continually blown away by his ageless performance. Pre-sale tickets to his Beyond the Sun Tour are now on sale. Public sale starts Friday, June 22 at 10 a.m. Call 704-372-1000 or log on to www.carolinatix.org.

Elsewhere The Fillmore announced today that long absent singer-songwriter Fiona Apple will make her Charlotte return September 26 at the NC Music Factory venue. Apple, who appears on "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" tonight, has been receiving stellar reviews for recent live shows. At one time she had a reputation as a shaky performer, but it appears she's matured since her days of repeatedly apologizing to the crowd like she did at Grady Cole Center in her early twenties (she was great when she guested with Nickel Creek at Ovens a few years back). "The Idler Wheel..." - Apple's first album in seven years - is out tomorrow, June 19. Tickets also go on sale Friday, June 22 at 10 a.m. Tickets are available at the Fillmore box office, www.livenation.com, Ticketmaster outlets, select Walmart stores, or by calling 1-800-745-3000. 
Before those two must-sees, Neighborhood Theatre welcomes another rock legend in Lindsey Buckingham, who will perform a rare solo "evening with" concert there Tuesday, July 31. Buckingham's latest solo album, "Seeds We Sow," was released in September. Tickets for that show go on sale tomorrow, June 19 at 11 a.m. at 704-358-9298 or at http://neighborhoodtheatre.inticketing.com/events/232592. 

Antiseen frontman is statuesque

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In 2009 when bobblehead creators Aggronautix unveiled its G.G. Allin figure I forwarded the announcement to Antiseen guitarist Joe Young (the Charlotte band was friends with and recorded with Allin). My email read: "Now we need Antiseen figures!"

Three years later at least one member of the band is being immortalized in polyresin. Antiseen frontman Jeff Clayton joins fellow punk rock legends Allin, the Descendents' Milo Aukerman, the Circle Jerks' Keith Morris, Jello Biafra and Wendy O. Williams (among others) as a "Throbblehead." The difference is it's not Clayton's blood covered head (a reference to cutting his forehead open on stage with broken beer bottles) that moves, it's his barb wire bat wielding arm that does the throbbling. 
The 7-inch figure, which retails for $19.95, is limited to 500 and pre-orders are being taken now here. Shipping is scheduled for September (although as a toy collector myself, I know figure production can get pushed back so take that into consideration if it's September and you're waiting for your's to arrive). Versions of Allin, Auckerman, and Mojo Nixon have already sold out. Other "Throbbleheads" include Andrew W.K., Dinosaur Jr.'s J. Mascis (complete with flowing white hair), Dwarves, and Roky Erickson. 
You can read all about Clayton's pint size version here. 
Antiseen recently released "New Blood," a collection of singles from 2008-2011. The cd release is limited to 1000. It's also available on orange vinyl. The vinyl version is limited to 500 and each is hand numbered. The group celebrates its 30th anniversary next year. I anticipate another blowout bill filled with plenty of friends (both fans and other bands) flying in to share in the festivities and the prop-filled, pro-wrestling style antics that Antiseen's stage shows are known for. Keep a look out for info on that in 2013. 

19 Haziran 2012 Salı

White Denim on Daytrotter

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White Denim had a Daytrotter session posted today. Check it out here, along with the latest release, D, out via Downtown.


Tracks

01. River To Consider
02. Drug
03. Anvil Everything
04. Tony Fatti


[Website] White Denim
[Facebook] White Denim

[Count Me Out] White Denim Add Tour Dates
[Count Me Out] White Denim "No Real Reason"
[Count Me Out] White Denim on Morning Becomes Eclectic
[Count Me Out] White Denim "Hot Thought"
[Count Me Out] Video: White Denim "Street Joy"
[Count Me Out] Album Review: White Denim - D
[Count Me Out] White Denim Announce New Tour Dates
[Count Me Out] Video: White Denim "Drug"
[Count Me Out] White Denim "Anvil Everything"
[Count Me Out] White Denim "Drug"
[Count Me Out] White Denim Offering Free New Album
[Count Me Out] Video: White Denim "I Start To Run"

Video: El Perro Del Mar "Innocence Is Sense"

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El Perro Del Mar has shared a video clip of a new tune, "Innocence Is Sense," which is expected off a forthcoming release, Pale Fire, out this year via The Control Group. Check it out below.




[VIDEO] El Perro Del Mar - Innocence Is Sense


[Website] El Perro Del Mar
[Facebook] El Perro Del Mar

[Count Me Out] El Perro Del Mar "What Do You Expect"
[Count Me Out] El Perro Del Mar and Taken By Trees on Morning Becomes Eclectic
[Count Me Out] Video: El Perro Del Mar w/ Lykke Li "Change Of Heart"
[Count Me Out] Video: El Perro Del Mar "Change Of Heart"
[Count Me Out] El Perro Del Mar "Change Of Heart"